As an author website designer, it's no surprise that I believe authors greatly benefit from having a website. After years of helping authors improve websites that weren't serving them, or building first-time sites for new authors, I’ve seen that authors without websites face a much harder time establishing their brand. Those with poorly functioning sites are often left frustrated, unsure of what went wrong. I Read more...
An author does not necessarily need a logo. Unlike businesses or brands, authors typically promote themselves and their work through their name and book covers. While a logo can be a useful branding tool for businesses, it is not a standard requirement for authors. However, some authors may choose to create a personal logo or a stylized version of their name to use on their Read more...
Any brand aspires to reflect back the expectations of their target audience. When what a person or company offers in in sync with what their audience expects, you get brand synergy. So what does that mean for authors? Beyond a logo, tagline, color scheme, or headshots, an author brand includes how you are perceived through your writing, both in your books and online. It establishes Read more...
Every author & publisher wants a top author website. That means they (understandably) want to stand out from the crowd, bring in a new audience, and enhance their brand. And some people approach these goals by throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the website. Photos and graphics and animations? "Sure!" - Lots of text that isn't designed to enhance your searchability or goals? "Absolutely!" Read more...
Let’s start by defining what we mean by a brand: Your brand communicates how you want yourself or your company to be perceived overall, and often communicates it on an emotional level. A brand can usually be described using adjectives, like “modern & edgy” or “romantic & poetic” or “trustworthy & traditional.” Here are some people with great personal brands: Steven Spielberg, Suze Orman, Martha Read more...
Choosing an online identity doesn't mean you're locked into it forever, or that you can't branch out, but it does give you a starting point to establish yourself when you're just starting out or are working to establish your brand.
